Facial recognition system match leads to fugitive’s arrestSelf-employed contractor had three warrants out for his arrest

Investigators with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles’ Compliance Enforcement Division today arrested Jose Alberto Ponce, 36, on felony possession of a fraudulent document and felony identity theft to avoid prosecution. Ponce, a self-employed contractor, also had three felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant out for his arrest. Ponce had been a fugitive since a sexual assault arrest in December 2007.

Department investigators were tipped when Ponce was cited by the Nevada State Contractors Board for being an unlicensed contractor. During the citation, the Board investigator suspected that Ponce had provided false information as to his true identity. A photo of Ponce was forwarded to the DMV and a positive match was made through the Department’s facial recognition system. The match revealed an outstanding Department warrant for two felony counts of false application for a driver’s license or identification card. Further research uncovered an outstanding felony warrant related to a sexual assault arrest and a misdemeanor warrant related to a harassment charge.

Ponce agreed to meet again with a Board investigator at a gas station in Stead where DMV investigators arrested him without incident. Besides the three outstanding felony and one misdemeanor charge, Ponce was also charged with felony possession of a fraudulent document and felony identity theft to avoid prosecution. Bail on all charges totaled $27,500. Ponce has a lengthy criminal history and served time in Nevada State Prison.